Hotel to benefit the unemployed

A site has already been identified and completion is expected in 12 months time, creating at least 30 jobs. Of these at least a quarter will be offered to people who have been out of work for an extended period of time.

The initiative is part of Travelodge's newly announced Local Employment Partnership (LEP) with Jobcentre Plus.

Chrissie Herbert, director of human resources and quality management at Travelodge, said: "LEPs are a cost-effective way for us to access potential new recruits for our hotels.

"We have found the scheme to be exceedingly productive, with six per cent of new staff at hotels where we have trialled the initiative coming from LEPs.

"I am sure that amongst the recruits will be hotel managers of the future."

Backing the move, Stephen Timms, minister for employment and welfare reform, added: "As our seaside towns become increasingly popular holiday destinations this is an excellent opportunity for many of those who have been written off in the past to share in the regeneration.

"LEPs are a great way to tap into local skills and talent to the benefit of whole communities.

"This investment by Travelodge will mean hundreds more people have the opportunity to work, learn new skills and contribute to Britain's growing tourism industry."

The planned new Bournemouth hotel is in addition to a £4.6m, 91-bedroom Travelodge being built at Tower Park next year and is part of a £150m investment the company is making in 55 new seaside hotels nationwide.

Plans for the Poole development, which include demolishing one of the longest standing restaurants at Tower Park, were approved last month.

The budget hotel brand opened its first Bournemouth hotel in May 2005. It was the first new hotel to be built in the town in 20 years.

As part of its national expansion plans, the hotel chain is offering a bounty of £500 per room for information about land that it is unaware of which leads to a successful Travelodge development.